Columbia Valley Sub-Region

• Conservation and restoration of riparian and wetland habitats
  • Priority Habitat: Upper Columbia River, Tributary streams that support rearing, spawning, overwintering, foraging from valley bottom to upper basin headwaters, Cold water refugia, Lakes and ponds.
  • Priority Species: native fish (Westslope Cutthroat Trout, Rainbow Trout, Burbot, Bull Trout, Burbot, Kokanee), waterbirds (Harlequin Duck, Western Grebe, American Dipper, Cliff Swallow, Black Swift), freshwater mussels, invertebrates.
  • Priority Processes: fish passage, connectivity, water temperature, water quality (nutrients, turbidity), productivity, geomorphological function (erosion, sedimentation, large woody debris, gravel recruitment).

• Conservation, restoration and enhancement of wetlands and riparian areas.
  • Priority Habitat: low elevation wetlands and floodplain ecosystems in the Upper Columbia Valley including Columbia River Wetlands, cottonwood stands, alluvial fans, mid elevation riparian habitats.
  • Priority Habitat: western toad, northern leopard frog, western painted turtle, Columbia spotted frog, at risk migratory birds and waterfowl (Great Blue Heron, Western Screech-Owl, Osprey, Long Billed Curlew, Bank Swallow, Barn Swallow, Olive-sided Flycather), bats, American beaver, culturally important plants, plants – rare and culturally important, macroinvertebrates.
  • Priority Habitat: connectivity, linkage areas valley bottom to montane, hydrologic function, geomorphological function, productivity.

• Protection, enhancement and identification of corridors and linkage areas.
  • Priority: Columbia Wetlands, Columbia Lake South, Dutch Creek – Columbia Lake, Sinclair Canyon – Kindersley, Luxor – Pinnacle.
• Conservation and restoration of upland habitats that support species at risk and of conservation concern.
  • Priority Habitat: open forests and grasslands in fire-maintained ecosystems, mature aspen, high elevation grasslands, rock outcrops, old growth forests
  • Priority Species: mountain caribou, grizzly bear, mountain goat, elk, deer, bighorn sheep, bats, American badger, Wolverine, Lewis’ Woodpecker, Bobolink, Flammulated Owl. rubber boa, whitebark pine, limber pine, huckleberry, other culturally important and rare plants, pollinators and other invertebrates, fungi.
  • Priority Processes: wildlife movement and migration, connectivity, food web interactions (predator-prey, seed dispersal, pollination), natural fire regime.

• Protection and enhancement of Indigenous cultural values
  • Priority Habitat: cultural use areas
  • Priority Species: culturally significant species
  • Priority Processes: traditional knowledge, traditional practices.

• Climate Change
• Invasive Species
• Cumulative effects (dams, forestry, recreation, rural/urban development)
• Emergent diseases/pests (White nose syndrome, whirling disease, mountain pine beetle)
• Imminent species/habitat decline
• Wildfire and Fire suppression
• Recreation and access management

The ʔakisq̓nuk First Nation will restore and enhance 115 hectares of land over two years, which will connect to over 300 hectares it has already treated. The project will involve employing and engaging with community members and others to thin dense stands of small-diameter Douglas fir. This will restore critical habitat for species like the at-risk American badger and Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep, help lower the risk of catastrophic wildfires and reduce weed infestations.

“The plan for treatment is to create a mosaic of habitat types that will primarily follow the historic stand structure of an open forest,” said Andrew Malucelli, Natural Resource Manager, ʔakisq̓nuk First Nation. “It will enhance the health and vigour of the ecosystem, especially critical winter range for ungulates like deer and elk.”

At-risk species like westslope cutthroat trout, bull trout and burbot live in Shuswap Creek. Over four years, the Shuswap Indian Band will restore and enhance over five kilometres of this 18-km creek. A key aspect will be to collaborate with community members, local landowners and local and provincial organizations while using a scientific and effective approach to restoring watersheds.

“We will transfer knowledge while employing First Nations members and community residents, and will know the project has been successful when we see positive trends in aquatic communities and populations,” said Mark Thomas, Councillor, Shuswap Indian Band. “Our commitment is to the long-term sustainability of the resources and people of the Columbia Valley.”